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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 299

'The Moose Squadron Halifax has dumped death by the ton on Hamburg and was flying out of the target when the night-fighter emerged out of the darkness in front of the bomber. Wagner, manning the two machine-guns in the front turret, sighted the attacker first and shouted:

"Night fighter ahead! Dive to port!"

"I heard his guns rattle twice" Allan related.

"You've got him!" the Bomb Aimer shouted.

The Skipper, Flying Officer J. D. Dickson, D.F.C., D.F.M. of Moncton, New Brunswick, was banking our Hally to port in the meantime and we could see the Messerschmitt falling. It blew up three times on the way down. When it hit the deck, its flares started shooting out

R.C.A.F. press release of 14 April 1944, refers

A 1944 D.F.C. group of six awarded to Flight Lieutenant R. J. Wagner, No. 419 'Moose' Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force - whose action-packed tour as an Air Gunner saw the downing of two enemy aircraft and the sharing of a third, besides serving as Squadron Gunnery Leader

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse offficially engraved '1944'; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Stars gilded, good very fine (6)

D.F.C. London Gazette 18 January 1944. The original recommendation states:

'Flight Lieutenant Wagner has completed twenty-seven operations as an Air Gunner in Halifax aircraft, including attacks against such targets as Colonge, Berlin, Hamburg, Essen, Pilsen and Peenemunde.

During his tour of operations Flight Lieutenant Wagner has accounted for the destruction of two enemy night fighters and has shared in the destruction of a third.

On the night of 3 March 1943 whilst attacking Hamburg the aircraft in which this Officer was acting as Front Gunner was attacked by an Me110 from head on. Although the closing speed was exceptionally fast this Gunner, by skillful manipulation of his turret and guns, succeeded in shooting the enemy down in flames.

On the same night this aircraft was again subjected to another head on attack. The enemy closed to within three hundred yards but once again Flight Lieutenant Wagner with skill and determination brought his guns to bear and shared the destruction of this second fighter with his Rear Gunner.

On the night of 13 July 1943 whilst attacking Aachen and acting as Rear Gunner this officer shot down a single engined fighter, and later whilst in combat with a FW190 and an unidentified fighter skillfully directed his Captain in the correct evasive action.

During all these encounters and during his entire operational tour this officer has shown exceptional keeness to attack the enemy. As Squadron Gunnery Leader he as rendered invaluable service and has taken great pains to assist new Gunners to become totally efficient.

His coolness, fine offensive spirit, gunnery skill, and score in enemy aircraft, have held the admiration of all gunnners in the Squadron and I therefore have no hesitation in recommending him for the award of the D.F.C.'

Remarks of Station Commander R.C.A.F. Middleton St. George:

'This officer has set a splendid example during his tour, by his skill as a gunner, his courage, determination, and coolness in action. I consider he merits recognition by the award of the D.F.C.'

Remarks of Air Officer Commanding, No. 6 Group:

This Gunnery Leader has now completed his first tour and, as set out above, has shot down several enemy aircraft. I fully support the remarks and recommendations made above.'

Rudy Joseph Wagner was born on 23 February 1917 at Spruce Grove, Alberta, the son of German immigrant farmers. Enlisting at Edmonton on 10 November 1941, he was posted as Aircraftman 1st Class on 10 January 1942 and Leading Aircraftman on 10 May. He learnt his trade as an Air Gunner on Fairey Battles at No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta. Having completed his training, Wagner was commissioned on 25 September 1942 and was posted to No. 419 'Moose' Squadron at Middleton St. George in early 1943. Upon arrival Wagner could have expected to be posted to an O.T.U. but instead was straight into action with a 'gardening' sortie to the Freisan Islands on 18 February, he said:

'But they were so desperately short of crew we went straight to conversion Squadron. That's were we finally saw our Boulton-Paul turrets and our Browning machine-guns and had our first taste.' (The Maple Leaf, April 2005, refers)

That first sortie gave a taste indeed, with 'intense light flak' on the flight. Rookie Bomber Command crews were in terrible danger, Wanger continues:

'It was the first five trips that were just devastating. Many times when a new crew would hit our station in the morning, we had to send them on Ops that night, and they'd go missing.'

On that first Op, Wagner had himself gone up with his peaked cap, which became something of a lucky charm:

'After that I insisted on taking it. I did not go on Ops without it!'

His Log Book gives further detail on the action-packed tour that resulted in his destruction of two and sharing of a third enemy aircraft, but the skill of Wagner cannot be disputed. He regularly flew on heavily defended targets, with his penultimate flight being on the famous raid to Peenemunde on 17 August 1943, Operation Hydra when his Log Book noted 'light flak' on their 9hr30min flight. Having been promoted Flight Lieutenant on 17 September 1943, Wagner was returned to Canada on 15 November 1944 and was retired from No. 7 Release Centre on 6 February 1945. His D.F.C. was went via Registered Air Mail on 11 March 1949. Wagner has the final say on conflict:

'I have always despised war and do not wish to glorify it. It has to be documented and it has to be published. Otherwise in a very short time it will all be gone.'

Wagner died in Edmonton on 24 September 2012, aged 95. Sold together with the recipient's Royal Canadian Air Force Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book (R.96), operational 'Wings', besides four photographs and copied research and Combat Reports.

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Sold for
£3,800

Starting price
£1000